Lots of newbie roadie questions...

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Lots of newbie roadie questions...

52 posts & 29 voices | Started 1 year ago by Jamie | Latest reply from brassneck

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Jamie - Member

Reet.

First ever road bike is imminent and am started to get in bits and pieces ready. I am curious about what one takes, and how they takes it, when out on the bike? On the MTB I chuck everything in my Dakine, but assume wearing this would be heresy.

So what do I need and how to store?

I am thinking I will need pump, spare innertube(s), patches (do I need these?), money, phone, food and water.

I assume I will carry this lot through mounting to the frame (pump), saddle bag and zip pockets on the back of a jersey. Is this the usual way or there better options?

Currently I only have my Giro Xen, would a helmet designed for the road be advised?

Is there anything I am missing?

Posted 1 year ago #
will - Member

Clothing on the road bike is very important I find, make sure you get a jersey with pockets, and stiff everything in there. You can get loads in there and they are secure and don;t rattle about unlike a saddle bag etc... Plus saddle bags look gay

You'll only need the basics, so:
- Tube
- Patches
- Leavers
- Pump
- Money
- Phone
- Keys
- Allen Keys
- Food

Helmets for the road are also much better ventilated than a mtb helmet so will work far better in the summer months when you get hot.

I'd advise stiff carbon road shoes as well, really does make a difference.

Get lycra as well

Posted 1 year ago #
The Southern Yeti - Member

From experience of just one ride... chain tool.
Or failing having a chain tool be lucky enough to break down close to the Awesome and helpful Bourton Cycles.

Posted 1 year ago #
BigDummy - Member

Your kit lists are wholly inadequate if you're intending to stop off at an owl sanctuary. There was a very large thread about this recently. Some people do.

Posted 1 year ago #
domino - Member

Multitool, tubes (x2) and tyre levers in saddle bag thing. Lezyne do a neat one that doesnt rattle too much. Pump on the tube. I dont bother taking patches - road tubes are better fixed at home I find.

Phone, drink, food, tea and cake money.

I did ride with my MTB helmet but found the peak got in the way so I got one without, or just remove your peak.

Enjoy, its a different kind of fun.

Posted 1 year ago #
anto164 - Member

Apart from the lycra shorts, a decent jersey, some coolmax socks and proper spd-sl shoes, the bits i would recommend are..

-park tyre levers
-spare tube
-small set of allen keys
-small hand pump with co2 to get the tyre up to pressure
-2x water bottles on the bike
-phone
-single form of ID (As i ride on my own a lot)
-£5 in change
-front door key

Decent jerseys have a zipped pocket on the back to put the money, phone, ID and your key.

that's it.

I never eat when on the bike, i struggle to eat it! and i only need it when im doing 50mi+.

Posted 1 year ago #
muppetWrangler - Member

Pump - long frame pump naturally attached to the frame.

spare tube, puncture kit, multitool, debit card and about £5 in change - pretty small saddle pack

phone - only take occasionally and goes in jersey pocket if required.

water - bottle(s) in bottle cages.

food - don't normally bother, but if I do it goes in the jersey pocket

Helmet - Again I don't normally bother, but if you're happier wearing the helmet I would wear whatever you have so long as the peak doesn't restrict your vision when you're on the drops. If your bothered about the look then I guess a road specific helmet would be better.

Shoes / pedals - I tried using my mtb shoes and pedals initially and found I was getting a sore foot, changed to road pedals (look keos) and shoes and the problem was solved immediately.

Posted 1 year ago #
schmiken - Member

Clotheswise:
I wear a short sleeve road jersey with pockets on the back and armwarmers ( more versatile), bib shorts, nice socks and SPD-SL shoes.

Kitwise:
Mobile phone, debit card and £5 in sandwich bag in pocket, 2 x tubes, tyre levers, multitool and instant patches in another pocket, a bar or two in the last pocket, pump and 2 x bottles on frame.

Posted 1 year ago #
Philby - Member

I use one of the small saddle bags (Topeak) - and I'd rather look gay than have to cart all that stuff in my jersey pockets. I just keep food and money and phone in rear pockets, and the tubes and multitool etc in the saddle bag. Also would be worth getting a small waterproof which squashes up e.g. Montane Featherlite which I would also put in my jersey pockets. If you use arm, knee or leg warmers you may also need jersey pocket space when you take them off.

Suggest also take some KMC powerlinks, a pair of latex gloves for roadside repairs / p*******s, and I also take some Wet Wipes.

Your helmet will be OK if it has a removable peak - otherwise the peak may get in the way of your vision.

Posted 1 year ago #
carlos - Member

I'd pretty much agree with Willie except the saddle bag comment, Gay is a matter of opinion. Decent jerseys have good sized pockets and a zipped one too, but the cheaper ones are a little tight on pocket space. As for the helmet well my Mtb one does just fine and I can't justify the extra dollar on a road specific one, just take the peak off if you must.

Shoes and pedals aren't essential but do make a difference, I've just swapped form CB eggbeater pedals to Shimano 105's and they are quite a bit more comfy on a long day out, especially on the ball (pressure point) of the foot, I did have to get shoes to mind but for me that was always the plan. Ribble were doing 105 pedals for 35 quid last week.

Lycra?? At least a good pair of cycling shorts/bibs. Go easy on the shrink wrapped jersey look though, unless of course it floats your boat

Posted 1 year ago #
trickydisco - Member

long frame pump naturally attached to the frame.

you are quite clearly mad! :

you want one of these

Mammoth airstick sl. Love mine and fits in the jersey pocket and pumps to 160psi (if you need that much!)

Posted 1 year ago #
bellerophon - Member

I carry:

on frame:
pump (blackburn airstik)
water bottle

small saddle bag:
1 tube
2 levers
topeak chain tool that has 5mm allen key

in pocket on shirt:
phone
money

I wear MTB helmet with peak removed; endura mt500 in nice weather, endura cycling tights in cold weather.

Posted 1 year ago #
djaustin - Member

and pumps to 160psi
eventually...

I have a Topeak Pocket Rocket and whilst I love the jersey-friendly size, it takes ages to pump up a tire. For road use, you want a frame fitting Zefal HPX. I'm tight and use the one from my Brompton.

Posted 1 year ago #
CaptJon - Member

I generally use my camelbak, but if I don't I put all my tools plus a tube and some food in a 500ml bottle that goes into a rear pocket.

Posted 1 year ago #
muppetWrangler - Member

you are quite clearly mad! :

Maybe, but my choice of pump is sound. Long narrow pump gets the tyres back up to full pressure without any real effort, being attached to the frame means it never gets forgotten and keeps jersey pockets empty on most rides.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jamie - Member

Cheers for advice people. Gratefully received and keep it coming.

I generally use my camelbak.....

I always wonder why more don't. Guess there must be reason.

Posted 1 year ago #
muppetWrangler - Member

I generally use my camelbak.....
I always wonder why more don't. Guess there must be reason.

Riding unencumbered is one of the great joys of road bikes, thats also why I try and keep as much as possible out of jersey pockets. It just feels so much nicer that way.

Posted 1 year ago #
uponthedowns - Member

Couple of tubes, tyre levers, patches and gas inflator and couple of gas cartridges in a small saddle bag. Phone, keys, food and maybe water proof or gilet in jersey pockets. If its a sportive then gels and energy drink powder in zip lock bags in jersey pockets as well. In bottle cages- one bottle of energy drink and maybe one bottle of water as well if its a long ride. I suppose I should take a multitool but road biking is much easier on the bike than MTBing and in many years of road biking I've never needed to fettle my bike mid ride.

No need for a pack- like muppet says road biking means freedom of never having to wear a pack.

Posted 1 year ago #
ahwiles - Member

welcome to the world of road cycling.

everything you do, and will ever do, is wrong, and will upset/offend lots of people.

try stuff, go with what you think works/looks good. everyone else will hate you no matter what you do.

(you'll have the wrong shoes, your shorts won't match your jersey, you can't wear a short/long sleeve jersey in spring/summer/autumn/winter, your tyres are too wide/narrow, you can't have a bike the same/different colour as your socks, etc. etc.)

Posted 1 year ago #
schmiken - Member

I completely forgot!

You need to read this:
http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

Posted 1 year ago #
stratobiker - Member

Camelbaks are useless for roadies.

Bottles are what you need. With a bottle, you can throw it, squirt it and use it in your defence/attack. With a camelbak your assailant can get hold of you by the straps.

More seriously, along with the stuff others have suggested, I carry a small piece of tyre wall that can be used inside the tyre in the event of a slit.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jamie - Member

So is there any preference to pumps? Frame size ones for pushing lots of air or a mini one for ease of carrying?

Looks like I will be selling my Topeak Mountain Morph either way....

I completely forgot!

You need to read this:
http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

Heh.....

RULE 19:
No mountain jerseys or baggies when riding on the road. (Cyclocross is a middle-ground. Best to wear cross-specific kit.)

Posted 1 year ago #
rOcKeTdOg - Member

I assume I will carry this lot through mounting to the frame (pump), saddle bag and zip pockets on the back of a jersey. Is this the usual way or there better options?

spot on and Giro zen has adjustable peak, just lift it so you don't strain your neck looking under it. as for road ettiquette, if you are intending to ride with a club, turning up in mountainbike gear might well result in getting the pee taking out of you (unless you ride them into the tarmac) but solo rides or non club stuff wear what you want/feel comfy in and ignore the snobbery

Posted 1 year ago #
trickydisco - Member

Rule 29:

Saddle bags have no place on a road bike, and are only acceptable on mountain bikes in extreme cases.

Ditto for frame-mounted pumps. Either Co2 cannisters or mini-pumps should be carried in jersey pockets. The only exception to this rule is to mount a Silca brand frame pump in the rear triangle of the frame, with the rear wheel skewer as the pump mount nob, as demonstrated by members of the 7-Eleven and Ariostea pro cycling teams. As such, a frame pump mounted upside-down and along the left (skewer lever side) seat stay is both old skool and euro and thus acceptable. We restate at this time that said pump may under no circumstances be a Zefal and must be made by Silca.

It is acceptable to gaffer-tape a mini-pump to your frame when no C02 cannisters are available and your pockets are full of spare kit and energy gels. However, the rider should expect to be stopped and questioned and may be required to empty pockets to prove there is no room in them for the pump. Said Silca pump must be fitted with a Campagnolo head

Posted 1 year ago #
dirtygirlonabike - Member

When are you, me, yeti and mol meeting up for a roadie ride then?

I use a tri bag on the frame for bars/energy stuff as i hate my pockets being crammed full of stuff. I usually carry waterproof, pump, tubes, food, money, phone, ipod, tyre levers and money. Depending on time of year, items such as buff, arm/leg warmers, skull cap will often be in pockets...i find the wind chill on the road much higher than mtbing.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jamie - Member

When are you, me, yeti and mol meeting up for a roadie ride then?

Well, I am going to be getting to used to a road bike and riding clipped in all for the first time, so once I have mastered that to the point of not falling off all the time then, and only then, will I let you two speed merchants, and molgrips , have your wicked way with me.

Either Co2 cannisters

Hmm. Seems a bit minimilist.

Posted 1 year ago #
dirtygirlonabike - Member

Heh, i remember getting used to the road bike.... I couldn't make myself take my hand off my bars to get my water bottle so my ex used to hand me his bottle. In my defence, it was extremely windy on my first ride, and i almost got blown off the road.

Did you go for road pedals/shoes or mtb ones?

PS, nice edit, poor mol

Posted 1 year ago #
JonEdwards - Member

Topeak Power 21 multi tool, which comes with a little neoprene pouch. patches and tyre levers and a business card for ID go in there. Plus a tube, that's one jersey side pocket

Mobile, credit card and £10 note go in a little plastic bag. Plus a energy bar and a gel and dinky little pump that's probably useless, that's the other side pocket.

Map in the middle pocket.

Sorted!

Posted 1 year ago #
The Southern Yeti - Member

I sense a STW Audax Thing gathering...

Jamie... I've only ever done one road ride... y'all be reet.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jamie - Member

Did you go for road pedals/shoes

Seeing as the road bike will be my only bike for a while I am going for roadie ones. Just trying to get bike sorted first.

Between a Spesh Allez Elite, Defy 2 and in the name of I WANT ONE NOW....tempted to wander over to halfords and maybe pick up a 2010 Boardman Comp if they have any left.

Posted 1 year ago #
molgrips - Member

As above mostly.

Small leyzine multi-tool with chain splitter - small and light, to stop it dragging my jersey down
Phone in baggie
Keys
Debit card and a fiver
Spare tube
Puncture kit
Pump on frame, but mine rattles a bit and I've also lost the bracket so it can go in my jersey too
Two bottles on bike.

I don't always go like this though, sometimes I take a camelbak. Yes, I know...

I also have a different helmet for road (better ventilation) and road shoes/pedals are a major benefit.

I'll be up for a ride when I'm back in the UK unless you want to come to Bavaria

Top tip though - put a lot of effort into getting the setup right. Road bikes are far less forgiving (ie not at all) of positioning of bars, saddle etc, so be prepared to get numb nuts and then spend some time and money getting the right saddle. Then getting the bars and levers set up correctly is also tough. You may even want differently shaped bars.. it's all worth it though for effortless comfortable miles.

Re pumps, get kevlar belted tyres and you will hardly ever have punctures so you might as well get the smallest pump you can find for the number of times you're going to use it. I've worn out kevlar tyres without having a single puncture.

Posted 1 year ago #
dirtygirlonabike - Member

I sense a STW Audax Thing gathering...
Get organising then lazy bones! Lakes/peaks area kinda half way maybe?

Not ridden the boardman but a friend has one, good bike, light compared to mine too.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mulletus Maximus - Member

For a long solo ride I take the following.

In Saddle Bag: Pump(solo rides only), Co2, Patches, Tube, Speed Lever, Chain Tool, Quick Link.

Jersey is usually empty unless I need arm warmers, buff etc. Food goes in a Tri bag.

One small bottle of water and a larger bottle of Electrolyte as I sweat loads.

Phone and never leave home without this on.

Posted 1 year ago #
The Southern Yeti - Member

Get organising then lazy bones!

Yes Boss!

Mol - when are you back in the UK?

Posted 1 year ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

I find the only way to be absolutely certain I don't encumber myself with items actually required for self sufficiency is simply to have a team car follow me at all times.

(Not my pic, but I do have one of the very same machine outside the cafe in Oudenaarde)

Posted 1 year ago #